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Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94wY_tAommo&feature=youtu.be
This video is part of a series on this 2002 Chevy Cavalier. When this car first showed up it had been in a minor collision, it had slid off the road into a curb. I found a damaged wheel but I also found that it would not drive down the road properly and the steering wheel was way off. I concluded that the power steering rack had been damaged. This is part 1 of the replacement of that broken power steering rack. On a scale of 1-10 I would say the difficulty level of this one is about a 7 so be prepared for a bit of a fight if you need to do this job. In addition to the Cavalier this video should also apply to other GM vehicles of this same size, the Pontiac Sunfire comes to mind as well as the equivalent Buick and Olds offerings.
Here are links to some of the videos referenced in the video.
Collision Inspection: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSWdf_7HcqI&feature=youtu.be
Removing Rusty Fasteners: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqNcBkLvptg
Lubing the Chassis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bB2RiRKDQ9k
Discussion about this video: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/44094-2002-cavalier-power-steering-rack-replacement#53751
Stay Dirty
ETCG
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Hey, 2002 Sunfire SE owner here, I thought i'd share this tip here incase anyone needed it. Dropping the subframe actually isn't necessary, once the rack is loose, you can tilt it about 90 degrees backwards into a little "compartment" (connection for steering pointing to the back of the car) from here, push it as far as possible out the passenger side, you should sooner or later be able to pull out the driver's side tie rod end, pull that out through the opening under the car then essentially what you can do is then pull the whole rack and pinion out from under the car.
I needed to remove the steering knuckle. It was very hard for me to disconnect the ball joint, I mean to disconnect it from the knuckle, I used 2 pry bars, somehow disconnected it, but I think it would be very
hard to put it back. I'm afraid the new bushing on the new ball joint can be torn with those pry bars. It is advised in Hayne's Manual to disconnect the Stabilizer Bar from the Control Arm at the beginning of the procedure. Do you happen know what for it should be done? I removed the knuckle without this disconnection and I don't understand the purpose of it. I kind of loose it, but I think it didn't make the
removal of the knuckle from the ball Joint easier. 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier. Thank you for the informative film.
how to remove a broken steering wheel coloumn on 02 chev, cavalier
Hey eric, hope you see this message on a 7yr old video. What was the torque spec on the subframe bolts?
You used an air chisel on the ONE problem I have been having😅 that is my luck as all get out
Just did this on my 2005 sunfire . A few things to help others.
Buy a crow foot flare nut wrench for the fittings .
Use a heat gun on that plastic collar to get it back on – slips right on.
If you break the outer cross member bolts or the nut inside the frame spins, you can cut an access hole in the floor board from the inside . It sucks but has to be done . I He have inspection cam footage video on my channel showing the issue
Go to scrap yard and pull the same bolt from same car to replace .
Make sure your rack is centered before putting it into the car , mine wasn't .
Took me about 30 hours because of all the issues I had . Good luck , dont start if you need the car with in a week or two
I am no means a certified mechanic, so am just wondering after disconnecting the battery why not drain the power steering fluid as much as possible 1st. Again just asking not criticizing.
your work Helps others!
porque no quiere salir mi cremayera se agotó en donde va el tornillo del lado del copiloto tiene un per no. o algo que lo atore
I know this is an old video but I am doing a similar repair to my 01 sunfire. I found the cavalier and sunfire share alot of parts. My subframe had rusted and started tearing. I am down to the steering rack connections and the steering shaft. I hope I dont have to remove the master cylinder bolts but if you say it makes it easier I think I will try it. I am replacing a lot of stuff on this car to keep it in the family for long time. I have a new subframe, new brake parts, new inner and outer tie rod ends and ball joints. I read that the steering rack can just be unbolted and left in place when I go to pull the subframe. But they also recommend lowering the subframe to get clearance to disconnect those fittings. Just wanted to thank you for the detailed video. I never came across this when i first started the work. Would have made this much easier.
Great thorough vids dude, subbed
Plz inbox me back plz. The pins fell out of my steering column. How can it be fixed. Ty
How do you remove the boot for the inner tie rod
ERIC WHY DO NOT USE A CKEEPER . THERE IS ANEW CREEKPPER ON THE MARKET CALLED THE MADGIC CREEKPER
From inside the car, you can pull up that boot on the steering shaft.
This is an excellent step by step video do-it-yourselfer appreciate it man how you break everything down simplified from setting the car up locating the parts how to remove them hats off. That's cool too cuz somebody just gave me a 2002 Chevy Cavalier needs rack and pinion and I have all the parts with the car so I'm going to go for it. I sure wish I had a friend like you though ha….
Yo desmonte todo eso hoy, las líneas son bien malas para soltar, es llave 18
Awesome video
very good cars all my kids drive one very reliable
Also Eric, you must be the most patient mechanic around. Nice shop space but you still don't use a lift. I can barely stand jacking my own car up let alone doing it daily for work. A patient mechanic is a good mechanic. Cheers.
Only remaining J-bodies in that era were Chevy and Pontiac I believe. The other sub-brands; Olds, Cadillac and Buick were discontinued in the late 80's.
Interesting dumb little fact for you Cavalier fans…Did you know there was a Toyota Cavalier built by GM and imported to Japan as a re-badge to Toyota? I thought it was both interesting and humorous. Cheers.
Can't get the right camera angle? Try using a mirror.
I got a question is a powering steering rack the same as a rack in pinion?
Just a few tips for people trying this job…If those power steering hoses are awful to take off, just buy new ones and cut them. They are only $30 from Rockauto for both and most steering rack manufacturers recommend changing them at the same time. My high pressure line was already rounded off and the air chisel trick didn't work for me.
If you aren't getting enough clearance to pull the rack out when you remove the 2 sub frame bolts on the driver side and the two in the middle, just take off that stupid frame brace on the driver side. I think I gained another half inch just by removing it. I could not get the long passenger side bolt out, and after many heat-impact-heat-breaker bar attempts I snapped the head off. That bolt was completely rust fused to the car for me. Removing that brace also allowed me to get all the bolts back in much easier.
Thanks as always Eric!
what could enable a 02 cavalier to let the front driver side tire press all the way back into the wheel well with an outward angle and the front passenger tire to run on the front of the wheel well? is this the issue this person was having? a local shop said it's a rusted frame and to scrap it…. albeit without looking at it.
I know this is an old post but i have a real problem. I cant get either lines loose from the rack. Is it possible to get the rack out with the lines still attached? I have them loose from the power steering pump. Right now i'm in a world of shit. Please help thnx
ugh. mine just went out. given all the other issues the car has big and small im not even going to bother with this repair. literally almost cheaper to buy a cheaper replacement car.
fantastic vid as usual though.
handling package was badged z24
Eric, you forgot to mention that in the South, these cars have yet another name: "SHIV-uh-Loy".
eric don't you have a hoist what the hell
Great videos Eric, thanks. I need your recommendation. After installing new rack and pinion on Subaru legacy 2008, it makes a loud sound as if the muffler is broken, and frong light flashes. Muffler is properly connected. What should I do? Thanks.
I seriously don't know how you went as long without a lift. I would've spent every cent I had to get one as soon as I moved into that shop..really happy that you have one now. Love your vids.
I just obtained a 2002 Cavalier LS Sport for free. Been sitting on my property for 2 years, friend doesn't want it anymore. threw a can of Seafoam in the tank, and swapped out the dead battery and it started beautifully, not all in that order though. lol
Currently has some idle issues, but I am trying to work all that old fuel out of the system. I did top up at the pump to dilute the old fuel, and also threw in a bottle of HEET to get rid of any water that accumulated in the tank from sitting with a half tank. Definitely going to be throwing injector cleaning in there for quite a few fillups to clean out any gunk that might have accumulated.
I'm really glad u got a camera guy now ur videos went up a level forsure… Good video nonetheless, always entertained by ur vids.liked
is it easier to just drop the sub-frame to change the rack? i gotta change mine and that is what im dreading doing lol
Hi Eric I was wondering about Replacing a PCV valve I dont know if you could help me on it please
hey car guy,what kind of gloves are u using?
Do you have a video of the pontiac sunfire rack and pinion replacement?
ive done a few of these, drop the subframe save yourself some time ,great video.
I just wanted to say thanks for the great video! I had to replace the rack on my wife's Sunfire this weekend and your video was worth a thousand times more than the bloody manual.
I believe that the insurance totaled out this vehicle after the accident you described. These cavaliers were possibly one of the worst cars that Chevy ever made. They all petty much fell apart. any GM is made like that really. The only GM I like these days is Buick. Pontiac is even worse, hence the reason they went bankrupt. Sure there's lots of parts still available for these cars so they can be fixed. I just hope you didn't spend a lot of money on it because as I've said previously they aren't worth very much.
Took a bit too much time on that. Remove both wheels. Mark then bust the tow-in nuts at tie rods, as well as the tie-rod joints free from the steering knuckles. Lower the rear of the cradle no more than a couple of inches with the floor jack. Using a 3 ft prybar, lift the u-joint cover through opened left wheel housing. Rotate the steering wheel so the pinch bolt is accessible through same opening then turn the ignition key to lock wheel placement. Using a ratchet & 3 ft extension, remove u-joint pinch bolt and then pry joint off rack. Once joint has been released from the rack you can lower cradle a bit more for hand access from underneath. The rest of the removal of the fld lines, using crow foot line wrenches, and rack mounting bolts can be done from underneath the car. Pull the loose rack through the drivers side wheel opening. Nice endeavor, albeit, trial and error. 1.5 hrs labor, out & in, my way.
Eric is a saintly person. This isn't the worst procedure I've ever seen a person have to go through…but it's pretty miserable. To this I say: bravo. Bravo indeed good sir.
dude this is exactly what i needed man i jst needed to know if there was anything connecting the steering rack to the subframe and u showed me tht inside the boot man, great big fakin help man thnksXD
I need help here Eric. My jackass mechanic (main reason I'm all DIY now) assembled the steering wheel upside down! so, the easiest way to fix it is only to remove that U joint, push the rod in, turn the steering wheel 180º, and put it back in? (send it back is not an option, I already did warranty with him 3 TIMES! I just don't want to see him again.)